RENEWABLE ENERGY MARKET IN THE UNITED STATES

Entry Strategies for Turkish Energy Companies

Successful entry into the U.S. energy market requires more than technical expertise and commercial planning. In practice, a well-structured immigration strategy is equally critical for ensuring operational continuity and long-term scalability.

Accordingly, energy companies must align their expansion plans with U.S. immigration law, as administered by  USCIS. This includes selecting appropriate visa categories for executives, technical personnel, and short-term business activities.

1.L-1 Visa Requirements for Turkish Energy Companies Entering the U.S. Market

The L-1 visa is among the most functional and strategically important options for Turkish energy companies expanding into the United States. This visa category allows companies to transfer key personnel from a non-U.S. office to a related U.S. entity or to a newly established U.S. operation.

The L-1A visa applies to executives and senior managers. It grants authority to establish, oversee, and manage U.S. operations. In contrast, the L-1B visa is designed for engineers and technical professionals who possess specialized knowledge critical to the company’s business activities.

For multinational companies with frequent intra-company transfers, the L-1 Blanket program offers a more streamlined and scalable mechanism. L-1 eligibility criteria focus on the qualifying corporate relationship, the employee’s role, and the duration of prior employment abroad.

Importantly, when properly structured, the L-1 visa can also serve as a strategic pathway to permanent residence. In particular, L-1A beneficiaries may transition to a green card without the need for labor certification.

2.Eligibility and E-2 Visa Requirements for Turkish Treaty Investors

Türkiye’s status as a treaty country makes the E-2 visa a highly effective and flexible market entry option for Turkish investors. The E-2 investor visa is based on a qualifying investment in an active and operating U.S. enterprise that generates economic impact.

Unlike immigrant visa categories, the E-2 visa does not impose a fixed minimum investment threshold. Instead, investment levels are assessed on a proportional basis relative to the nature and scale of the business.

One of the key advantages of the E-2 visa is its unlimited renewability, provided that the enterprise continues to meet eligibility requirements. Therefore, the visa is particularly well suited for EPC offices, trading companies, and R&D centers operating in the U.S. energy market.

E-2 visa requirements primarily focus on investor nationality, lawful source of funds, ownership structure, and the non-marginal nature of the enterprise. When structured correctly, an E-2 application can support sustainable foreign direct investment and long-term commercial presence in the United States.

3.Strategic Use of the H-1B Visa in the Energy and Technology Workforce

The H-1B visa represents a practical nonimmigrant visa option for energy engineers, software specialists, and research and development professionals working in specialty occupations. In general, H-1B positions must involve highly specialized knowledge, and beneficiaries are required to hold relevant academic qualifications aligned with the role.

In addition, one of the distinguishing features of the H-1B visa is its dual-intent nature. This characteristic allows both employers and employees to pursue permanent residency without jeopardizing the individual’s nonimmigrant status. As a result, the H-1B visa supports both immediate staffing needs and long-term workforce planning.

Within the framework of H-1B visa eligibility criteria applicable in 2026, the category remains particularly valuable for technology-driven and innovation-focused energy projects. Therefore, companies operating in advanced energy systems, digital infrastructure, and clean technology development often integrate the H-1B visa into their broader human capital strategies.

4.Role of the O-1 Visa in Innovation-Driven Energy Projects

The O-1 visa offers a cap-exempt and expedited nonimmigrant visa pathway for individuals who demonstrate extraordinary ability in their field. In the energy sector, this visa category is especially well suited for patent-holding engineers, professionals who have led large-scale or high-impact projects, and researchers with significant academic contributions.

Unlike numerical-limited visa categories, O-1 eligibility is evaluated based on sustained national or international recognition. Accordingly, applicants must present objective evidence demonstrating exceptional achievement. Typical documentation includes major project leadership records, peer-reviewed publications, patents, awards, and expert testimonials.

Moreover, O-1 visa requirements emphasize a clear connection between the beneficiary’s expertise and the proposed role in the United States. When properly documented and strategically structured, the O-1 visa serves as an effective mechanism for deploying top-tier talent in advanced and innovation-driven energy initiatives.

5.B-1 Business Visitor Visa and Early-Stage Market Entry

The B-1 visa, commonly referred to as the business visitor visa, is frequently used during the initial market entry phase into the United States. It allows foreign business professionals to conduct limited activities such as site visits, business meetings, feasibility studies, and investment-related discussions.

However, the B-1 visa does not authorize employment, productive labor, or hands-on operational work in the United States. Therefore, strict adherence to its permitted scope is essential to maintain compliance with U.S. immigration regulations.

When applied correctly, the B-1 visa enables companies to evaluate market conditions and establish commercial relationships without triggering employment authorization issues. Furthermore, the strategic sequencing of the B-1 visa with employment-based visa categories supports sustainable, long-term energy operations in the U.S. market.